Top 10 Famous Animals that Hibernate – Find out Why!

The hibernation process plays a very much important role in the life of animals. When the environment becomes too hostile for animals, they have to find a way to cope. Some animals find suitable places for hibernating for longer period of time. Some animals migrate out of the area while other enters an inactive state in which they stay until suitable conditions come back. We have selected this article in order to discuss some famous animals that hibernate every year.

1. Alpine Marmots

This is considered as one of the most famous animal that hibernates every year. There are different types of research reports that have clearly shown this fact that alpine marmots hibernate for up to eight months. They normally spend the remaining four months by awaking with their babies and preparing them for the next hibernation. Different types of research studies have also shown this fact that during hibernation they take only 2-3 breaths in a minute.

Photo by Edward

2. Common Poorwill

The common poorwill is also included in the list of famous animals that hibernate. There are different types of research reports that have clearly shown this fact that common poorwill is the only known bird species that hibernates. These research reports have also revealed the fact that it normally picks a spot under shallow rocks or rotten logs and stays there for maximum five months.

3. Bears

Most interestingly, the bears also included in the list of those animals that hibernate. Another thing about bears is quite interesting and it says that only four species of bears hibernate. Different types of research reports have shown this fact that a pregnant mama bear will have her cubs during the hibernation period. Like other hibernators, the heartbeat of bears will slow down and they can go for a long time without any food.

4. Bats

Bats are also included in the list of those animals that hibernate every year. Different types of research studies have shown this fact that in the wild, the bats can spend 64-66 days in the hibernation while in the captivity one lasts and incredible 344 days in hibernation. The heart rate of bats drops to 25 beats per minutes in hibernation from 1000 beats per minutes during normal days.

5. Fat-Tailed Dwarf Lemurs

They are also included in the list of those animals that hibernate very year. There are different types of research reports that have shown this fact that the fat-tailed dwarf lemurs live in Madagascar where temperatures in June and July usually stay about 30 degrees C. This is considered as quite coldest time of the year for them.

6. Common Box Turtle

The common box turtle also hibernate every year. They hibernate in well hidden spots around Southern North America. The length of their hibernation depends on the location and the subspecies of the turtle. Some hibernate as short as 77 days or as long as 154 days.

7. Bumblebees

The bumblebees are also included in the list of those animals that hibernate. They normally hibernate when the temperature drops. There are different types of research reports that have shown this fact that when the temperature drop, males and worker bees die off but the queen survives by hibernating. The queen normally hibernates in a hole in the soil, in rotten tree slumps or under the leaf litter.

8. Garter Snake

The garter snakes also hibernate but unlike the bumblebee that hibernates alone, the garter snakes hibernate in groups. The garter snakes are normally found in Canada where winters are exceptionally cold. In Canada, the garter snakes are grouped together for hibernation.

9. Hedgehog

The hedgehog is also included in the list of those animals that hibernate. There are different types of research reports that have shows this fact that hedgehogs are some of the deepest hibernators around. They normally have the longest hibernating period and some can sleep through the whole winter.

10. Snail

The snails have also some interesting facts about hibernation. The snails have built in bed for their hibernation. Different types of research reports that have shown this fact that they go into their shell, close up the hole with a skin made of chalk and slime that keeps the moisture in.